NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

President’s Letter to Members

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he environmental professions are so vital and necessary. Many of our NAEP members have been working in the professions 10, 15, or over 20 years. And we have a couple NAEP Fellows that are approaching 40 years, doing environmental work before the work was even called “environmental”. Pair this wealth of experience with our youngest, brightest and newest NAEP members and we have an absolutely dynamic association built on the foundation of experience and commitment to the professions, while now streaming forward with the newest and most creative ideas and innovations in our practice. I believe we are all fortunate to be working in an industry and associated professions that have so much relevance today and tomorrow. We are stewards and we are trained to be accountable. And as you all know, NAEP’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice have withstood the test of time (and the court) as guideposts for conduct in all the environmental professions. This really does mean something; it means everything. In early January I attended the statewide board meeting of AEP, our NAEP affiliate California chapter. I was very impressed with the dedication and commitment of everyone who attended the day-long Saturday session. The presidents or representatives from each of the nine local California chapters were present as well as the executive officers of the statewide AEP Board of Directors. One of the highlights of the meeting was signing the Affiliation Agreement with Gene Talmadge, President of AEP. We look forward to a long partnership with California, as we do with all of our state, region and multi-state Chapters, as we continue to build and strengthen our bridges of professional friendships. At the end of January I had the opportunity to participate in a national panel at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting in Washington DC. The other distinguished panel participants and I were charged with discussing the new environmental issues that are emerging in the planning, design and construction professions, especially as they relate to transportation. All of the panelists presented excellent ideas and thoughts about this theme. Certainly from my perspective, the recent issues we have seen in our profession revolve around disaster recovery; both natural like hurricanes and man-made like the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Addressing climate change and greenhouse gas emissions have also taken a forefront seat in our project analysis work; and finding comprehensive, defensible ways to address energy has been a challenge but a very viable part of impact assessment in

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the last two or three years. The one other area of needed expertise that I see arising in this new decade is the ability to incorporate sustainability and the new livability principles into our project solutions, whether they are new transportation systems, site facilities, residential communities, or coastal restoration projects. The more sustainable our projects can be in all ways continues to more optimally serve the betterment of our environment. During the TRB panel discussion, I also offered some thoughts on three things to keep in mind as we move farther into the 21st century. One: preserve what we value. The “we” in this thought is the collective “we”, the community of diverse people who live in the area of our projects. We need to better understand and better acknowledge indigenous values and what exactly comprises a community or neighbor’s quality of life. Two: tell a better and more human story. Project outcomes need to set better courses of action for improvement and enhancement. To do this we need to capture the essence of place and a sense of the life reality lived by residents. We can do this by empathic listening and observing with our eyes, mind and heart. Three: reach beyond your insights. To remain flexible and open to ideas popping at any time, we need to not only strengthen our core competencies but take them to the next level; we need to more fully embrace intrinsic learning; and we need to build bridges of interest among the sciences and the humanities, mathematics and the arts, and the culturally diverse perspectives that we experience every day in our global reality. For our members and other environmental professionals, NAEP is launching a series of webinars starting with our first webinar on April 7th. Horst Greczmiel, Associate Director of NEPA Oversight for the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, will discuss CEQ’s recent guidance on mitigation strategies and monitoring project outcomes. NAEP Board member, Marie Campbell, will talk about lessons learned in California regarding these two topics. A separate announcement will be out soon about this first webinar. Our association manager and several NAEP board members have worked very hard on this initiative and now we are about to experience the fruition of their labor. A couple weeks ago I had the distinct honor to invite a delegation of Chinese environmental professionals from Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province to interface with some of our NAEP members in Washington DC and Los Angeles this summer. This delegation will be on a four-city tour of the U.S. They are interested to gain a general understanding of environmental policies, regulations, and policy enforcement in the U.S. They are also especially interested in water treatment systems, water quality monitoring, Continued on page 23

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Mr. Wilson and Mr. Harrel work in the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in the Environmental Permits Division. Each man worked with the Mississippi State response to the Deepwater Horizon Incident over the spring and summer of last year. The Environmental Permits Division is responsible for nearly all environmental permitting in Mississippi including air, wastewater, solid and hazardous waste. The Environmental Permits Division is made up of nine industry sector branches as well as support branches. Mr. Wilson has been with MDEQ for 20 years and Mr. Harrell for 17 years. Both are registered Engineers and hold the title of Diplomate in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

State of Mississippi Response Efforts Related to the Deepwater Horizon Incident Harry Wilson and Richard Harrell

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he Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) led the state response to protect the vital natural resources of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast from oil impacts resulting from the Deepwater Horizon incident. Immediately after the oil spill, MDEQ became a part of Unified Command (BP, U.S. Coast Guard, DMR, EPA, among others) and worked with the Governor’s Office, local officials, and contractors to protect Mississippi’s natural resources and livelihoods. This effort included creating several lines of defense. The defense lines started outside the Mississippi Coastal Barrier Islands (Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois) located approximately 10 miles off the Mississippi Gulf coast, continued through the Mississippi Sound, and ended with physical barriers being placed in the most sensitive coastal habitats of the Mississippi coast. All operations were coordinated through the implementation of the Sector Mobile Area Contingency Plan. The first contingency plan priority was the placement, installation, and deployment of oil absorbent protective boom in sensitive estuaries and marshes. These habitats are the natural nursery areas for Mississippi’s fishery and they contain many kinds of important marine life including shrimp, crabs, oysters, and species of finfish. After the oil boom was deployed, MDEQ and DMR staff regularly checked the deployed boom by air, with the assistance of the National Guard. Where repairs or problems were located, MDEQ and National Guard personnel were sent by boat to implement repair and replacement actions.

Harry Wilson is Chief, Environmental Permits Division Richard Harrell is Branch Chief, Environmental Permits Division

Figure 1: SCAT Documentation of Tarballs on Ship Island – May 2010

Other roles for MDEQ staff included regular boat and aerial surveys, with the assistance of the Mississippi National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol, to follow oil movements in the Mississippi Sound and around the Barrier Islands. These activities also included, water and air sampling and responding to public reports, questions and concerns. MDEQ also coordinated with local officials about immediate issues such as oil locations, odors, fish kills, or wildlife oiling or injury. MDEQ activities also included on-foot beach surveys, monitoring beach cleanup activities, issuing beach advisories or closures, and serving as members of Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT)Teams to perform Natural Resource Damage Assessments along coastal Mississippi. MDEQ also managed the use of skimmers leased and purchased by the State of Mississippi for use in state waters. As part of the SCAT Team experience, MDEQ and MDMR biologists sampled multiple sites to document pre-spill conditions Continued on page 3

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Mississippi

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Beginning August 17, 2010, MDEQ, in coordination with the Unified Incident Command in Mobile, launched an initiative to systematically sample for submersed oil in the Mississippi Sound. This intensive effort extended from Mobile Bay to the Louisiana stateline. This plan, employing Vessels of Opportunity and six of the state-owned skimmers, used three separate and unique tactics to investigate the existence of submerged oil in the Mississippi Sound. The sampling results have so far not shown any recoverable quantities of submerged oil. Exhaustive sampling efforts by state and federal agencies began in May and continue today to ensure seafood safety and reassure the public that consumption of Gulf-caught finfish and shrimp species is safe. Results from hundreds of state samples and thousands of federal samples continue to indicate that seafood is safe for human consumption.

Figure 2: MDEQ personnel monitoring near Pascagoula, July 2010 (note boom in background)

of the coastal ecology. This data provided a baseline that would allow the comparison of post impact conditions and the objective quantification required to judge damages caused by the oil release. MDEQ and MDMR also conducted extensive environmental monitoring from May through September to document the condition of the state's coastal waters and search for the presence of oil and oil-related materials. MDEQ also monitored ground-level ozone continuously throughout the incident at its monitoring sites located in Waveland, Gulfport, and Pascagoula. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was also monitored continuously at Waveland and Gulfport. MDEQ issued daily air quality forecasts and reported ozone and PM2.5 data to the EPA AIRNOW website. MDEQ cooperated with EPA to assist the agency monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) daily at the Waveland and Gulfport sites. In addition, EPA monitored PM2.5 continuously at the Pascagoula site. Although there were reports of odors, the VOC and PAH data showed that levels remained well below chronic and human health screening levels. Ozone and PM2.5 levels were elevated at times but remained below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for both pollutants. MDEQ participated in frequent conference calls with EPA and the environmental and health agencies from other oil affected states concerning updated air quality monitoring results, dissemination of air pollution information to the public, and updates on the overall response efforts.

At the end of 2010, MDEQ continued to send staff to Gulf Coast-Incident Management Team in New Orleans and to the Coast for emergency response efforts, albeit at a reduced level. Cleanup activities continue on the Barrier Islands, managed by the National Park Service, and on Mississippi beaches removing existing oil and tar balls which continue to come ashore in small quantities. Figure 3:Tar on Beach, Harrison County, MS – July 2010

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DHOS) in Perspective 8 Months Later: Perception vs. Reality George F. Crozier – Executive Director – Dauphin Island Sea Lab J.D. Crowe - Illustrations

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n the mind of the American public, there have been two significant exposures of crude oil discharges, the Ixtoc I rig blowout, fire, and collapse thirty years ago (1979) and the Exxon Valdez shipping-related oil spill twenty years ago (1989). The Exxon Valdez incident is by far more familiar to Americans, in part because when it occurred there were many images of oiled birds and mammals generated by the news reports of the day. For the Ixtoc I incident, far less reporting information is available, and there certainly is not the public awareness that remains from the Exxon Valdez. However, there is a great deal of actual difference between the incidents.

Most comparisons of the two incidents to DHOS are largely invalid if you recognize the extremely different aspects of environment and location. The Exxon Valdez was a surface spill of a known volume in an enclosed system, in a cold water regime, Prince William Sound, Alaska. The Ixtoc I discharge was an uncontrolled bottom well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico in less than 200 feet of water and in the Bay of Campeche about 500 miles from the south coast of Texas. It produced over 100 million gallons over the 10 months of free flow before the wellhead was plugged. When comparisons of environmental impact are made, Exxon Valdez is purported to still have negative impacts on Prince William Sound. For the Ixtoc I, there is general agreement that impacts were deemed minimal after 3-5 years (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/06/12/95793/ixtoc-thegulfs-other-massive.html). In neither incident did the human population potentially impacted by the oil pollution approach that of the north-central Gulf of Mexico coast, the zone of impact for the DHOS. As for the DHOS, the chronology of the spill occurring on April 22, 2010 is important, particularly given our technical naiveté concerning the disaster. In the 60 years or so of offshore drilling in the north-central Gulf of Mexico, there had never been a discharge of crude oil of the apparent and potential magnitude of that was produced by the blowout, fire, and collapse of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. The seminal words here are “apparent” and “potential” both reflecting, in part, the uncertainty with which the technical/management community of the Gulf was faced. Given very little prior experience, the marine science community was misled by BP’s persistent minimization of estimates of

the amount of released gas and oil from the wellhead. The ongoing acceptance of those values by federal representatives exacerbated the concerns and heightened a skeptical reaction from nearly everyone involved. BP appears to have only grudgingly released video of adequate quality to allow the academic experts to provide estimates which were significantly higher than those provided by BP and their federal partners. The independently derived quantity estimates eventually proved to be more accurate than the BP estimates. It should be noted that the unholy partnership between BP and the federal agencies (particularly the former Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), was not really a partnership of choice. In the wake of the Exxon Valdez, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This legislation established a formal partnership between several federal agencies and the responsible party, in this case, BP. The logic for the partnership seemed powerful twenty years ago. The concept involved having the responsible party pay up front and the partners would work hand in hand to develop the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) methodology, thus avoiding (in theory) the anticipated lengthy litigation. That Exxon Valdez litigation was in fact only completely resolved a few years ago, almost 20 years after the case was opened! This legislated approach was used effectively in a number of oil spills prior to DHOS. It appears to have failed at the scale of DHOS, certainly in the arena of cost effective application. Within the second month, the Gulf of Mexico marine science and commerce community had adopted a somewhat guardedly optimistic forecast. Given information on Ixtoc I impacts from scientists at the Harte Institute at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, and the fundamental understanding of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, it was no longer a question of if the area would recover, but rather how long it would take and would there be measurable alterations of the ecosystem. The ongoing debates over volume of material and use of dispersant technology continue to confound a broad consensus within the scientific community. The use of dispersants was approved by a panel of experts and the governors of the affected states in an effort to minimize the exposure of the critical shoreline habitats of emergent marsh, submerged aquatic vegetation, oyster reefs, and beaches. Aerial Continued on page 5

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Oil Spill

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application on the surface material was markedly inefficient because the surface distribution of oil residues was nearly chaotic. The surface material was consistently blown into windrows or physically dispersed by wind and waves and was far from uniform in distribution. The use of the term residue is calculated because the quality of the oil released at a mile below the surface began to change the instant that the material entered the water column. Contrary to the cliché that “oil and water don’t mix,” some components of crude oil mix quite readily in water. In fact, many of the volatile organic compounds like benzene, toluene, xylene, etc. (collectively known as BTEX) are soluble, and a lot may not have reached the surface at all (http://www.nap.edu/html/oil_in_the_sea/reportbrief.pdf). The light crude oil from DHOS was high in the percentage of these volatile compounds which are the principal components of gasoline. This solubility in water may have contributed to some of the discrepancies between the surface-derived estimates of volume released versus flow rates at the leak. The National Research Council’s 2003 report stated: “The most serious, in terms of fate problems for both shallow and deepwater, appears to be the limited validation of the dissolved component.” The application of dispersant at the leak 5,000 feet down was approved in an effort to improve the efficiency of the application process, but its actual effectiveness remains somewhat controversial. The dispersant use is logical in that the interaction of the surfactant components with the crude oil does form microscopic droplets or micelles which can dramatically increase the availability and therefore the rate of biodegradation of the oil constituents by the native microbial community. This material is not dissolved but becomes apparently something of a dynamic colloid, and it is disconcerting in that these “droplets” may be neutrally buoyant. This could partially explain the existence of the various plumes located at several depths including 3,000 feet below the surface reported by some academic marine institutions. While some details were originally questioned, these plumes were later confirmed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/us/09spill.html). The existence of a microbial community which uses crude oil carbon as a food and energy source is a consequence of the millennia of oil and gas exposure from natural seeps throughout the Gulf of Mexico, estimated to be as much as 40-50 million gallons per year from 600-1,000 discrete sites. Some of these microorganisms are capable of metabolizing and detoxifying the larger, more toxic, and relatively refractory polycyclic aromatic hydrocar-

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bons (PAH), suspected of being carcinogenic and the only components of crude oil that are bio-magnified. The distribution of quantity and quality of the microbial community in the deeper waters of the Gulf of Mexico is poorly understood at best. Nevertheless, all data available this winter support the proposal that the native microbial population did effectively assimilate the discharged carbon material and possibly at a rate far faster than any originally postulated by most of the scientific community. This conclusion is subject to some criticism from others who have used oxygen consumption as an indicator of microbial activity and are skeptical of reports that report dramatic levels of microbial respiration which are not accompanied by concomitant reductions of dissolved oxygen (http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-innational/noaa-report-on-gulf-oil-spill-draws-criticism-for-manyassumptions). These results require a substantial advection of oxygenated water, which is not abundant at depth, considering that the last time that particular water mass saw the atmosphere was near the Arctic Circle quite a long time ago! There has been quite a controversy concerning the fate of the oil, particularly because of a report attributed to the administration, rather than NOAA, and interpreted by the media as the total elimination of the oil (http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/26751). It would be much more accurate and effective to discuss the conversion of the tons of carbon which was initially in the complicated mixture of hundreds or thousands of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds into an equivalent number of tons of either organic or inorganic carbon materials, all eventually incorporated into the biosphere through incredibly complicated food webs. As long as you understand and accept the fundamentals of this process it may be fair to say that the oil is indeed gone. Continued on page 6

Mobile Press Register July 29, 2010

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Oil Spill

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Continued from page 5

The challenge for the marine science community now is tracking the fate and effects of those carbon compounds which may be deleterious to specific components of the ecosystem including us, at the top of the food chain. The vast majority of the carbon has likely been incorporated into the incredibly diverse marine biological universe; primary producers and several tiers of consumers, and like it or not, eventually to us! However there are some components of the original material which have much longer half lives in toxic forms that remain a concern to public health interests. The PAH compounds have variable direct toxicities and are classified as carcinogens at some levels. Although degradable by some microbes they are generally relatively resistant and may be bio-accumulated in organisms which lack a number of systems, both biochemical and physiological. PAH compounds are broken down through specific enzyme activities which are more present in vertebrates. Further, most vertebrates have fairly sophisticated excretory systems and livers that serve as personal waste dumps for the toxics where they do relatively little damage. So unless snapper liver suddenly becomes a delicacy, it is unlikely that they or any other fin fish constitute a public health hazard. Bio-accumulation or magnification by food items provides a mechanism for the re-concentration of potentially toxic materials that may have been diluted far below dose levels of any concern. This process requires consumption of a great deal of the tainted material over quite a long time coupled with a varying capacity to metabolize or eliminate. It is possible that reef fish residing in the area could accumulate PAH compounds in their livers but it will take some time, probably years and we do not have data that would indicate significant accumulation in the edible portions of the fish. Shrimp have less sophisticated metabolic and excretory systems and may acquire PAH compounds. But given their relatively short life cycle, it is unlikely that shrimp are a high risk food item. Most studies in the aftermath of oil exposure have not revealed accumulations reaching levels of concern. Oysters, however, are virtual “sponges” for all matter of organic pollutants, bacteria, viruses and heavy metals. Given that they don’t reach harvestable size for about three years, those exposed to oil-derived carbon may constitute a risk that will require careful, long term monitoring. Because of these very characteristics and that they are consumed raw, Gulf oysters are the most carefully tested seafood in our country. The last crude oil component of concern is the longest lived, least easily degraded, and the least toxic of all constituent compounds. These are referred to as asphaltenes and are indeed what

Mobile Press Register January 5, 2011 we are most familiar with as asphalt and make up the bulk of what we call “tar-balls.” Tar-balls and asphalt seeps are part of the background petroleum hydrocarbons of the Gulf and have been recognized on the beaches for generations. The tar-balls are accumulations of the asphaltenes, usually covered with sand because the heavy aggregate is sticky and they may have encapsulated some of the other components including volatiles and PAH compounds. But they are not routinely part of the human food chain, even though there are stories of old-timers who claim to have treated it like chewing gum. The asphaltene fraction of the original spill may be as low as 2%, but this has not been calculated with any accuracy, and high variability is the rule rather than the exception. Even at that low figure, we are dealing simplistically with at least 4 million gallons of “tar” and we are clearly going to be encountering more than we are accustomed to for an unknown period of time. While tarballs are functionally non-toxic, they are aesthetically unattractive and will constitute an ongoing threat to the beach economies. The threat will be larger as long as the public thinks there is a health hazard. It seems clear that the beach communities are going to be facing years of ongoing tar-ball exposure and subsequent clean-up, presumably at BP’s expense. The other tar-ball issue also depends on the assumption that they are going to be around in larger numbers than ever encountered over past decades. Deep water shrimpers recently reported tar-balls from areas near the DHOS. The response of the National Marine Fisheries Service was to close the royal red shrimp fishery out of an abundance of caution. Continued on page 7

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Oil Spill

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Subsequent analysis of shrimp from the area exposed to the tar-balls revealed nothing of public health consequence – that of course, never made the media. Current research does indicate that the tar-balls do physically encapsulate other residues from the original material and may include both VOC and PAH compounds. Whether these can ever enter the food web at levels of concern remains a question of largely academic interest. However, there is a clear and certain danger that the various media elements could easily turn that into a matter of grave concern in the minds of tourists. Continued on page 8

Mobile Press Register Oct. 13, 2010

To provide a better understanding of the Exxon Valdez and Ixtoc I incidents, I found the following sites. There is a lot of opinion and some fact in each of these articles. —Paul Looney, Newsletter Editor http://www.incidentnews.gov/incident/6250 http://sweetness-light.com/archive/anyone-remember-mexicos-ixtoc-i-leak http://news.discovery.com/earth/gulf-oil-spill-ixtoc.html http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2011931961_ixtoc23.html http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/05/wildlife-effects-from-oil-spill-could-last-years-scientist-says-/1 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37514348/ns/disaster_in_the_gulf/ DOI Report on IXTOC – Economic Impacts: http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/3/3929.pdf http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/01/gulf-oil-spill-ixtoc-ecological-tipping-point Another DOI report – Biological Impacts: http://invertebrates.si.edu/mms/reports/IXTOC_exec.pdf Claims that impacts lasted years: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10307105 NPR report: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/05/one_gulf_oil_spill_went_for_ne.html Impacts to fisheries gone after three years: http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100714/full/466304a.html Press Register Article – 2.5 to three years after Ixtoc biological resources showed little effect: http://blog.al.com/live/2010/09/ixtoc_spill_still_contaminates.html Exxon Valdez references History and summary of today’s impacts: http://greenanswers.com/blog/161681/exxon-valdez-today http://www.eoearth.org/article/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill?topic=58075#gen7 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Report: http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/recovery/lingeringoil.cfm NOAA Information: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/oilymess/welcome.html Yale Article: http://e360.yale.edu/feature/twenty_years_later_impacts__of_the_exxon_valdez_linger/2133/ Science Daily Article (12/23/03): http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031219073313.htm Deepwater Horizon The following link is the Keynote address by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., NOAA administrator made at the Center for American Progress, in Washington, DC on Feb. 9, 2011, titled: “Beyond Recovery: Moving the Gulf Toward a Sustainable Future” http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110209_restorethegulf_keynoteaddress.html

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Oil Spill

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It remains unclear whether these residual carbon forms will impact the ecosystem at any scale, and the human component in particular. One of the more obscure positive developments from the incident may be a heightened awareness that there is a legitimate human component in the ecosystem models. Certainly it should never be clearer that the socioeconomics of the coastal community is deeply dependent on the ecosystem services provided by the natural system. That service may be as obvious as market value of seafood or as appreciated as the non-market value of a sunset on the beach!

the apparent increases in populations of animals that would have normally been heavily fished during the period of the spill.

The rather interesting technical challenge facing the environmental community may be that of closing the gap between the public perception of the oil spill and the reality of where we stand almost a year after the event. Unfortunately perceptions are real and the resiliency of the natural system has not been matched by the human component of the integrated model.

The seafood appears to be abundant and is indeed safe to eat while the beaches are among the finest in the world. It remains to be seen if Spring Break and the summer visitation levels demonstrate a resiliency in any way comparable to that of fish stocks. Go fishing!

Between the seafood industry losses across the north-central Gulf Coast and the drop in beach visitation, predominately to the east of Louisiana, the economic recovery cannot be accurately estimated. However, the losses have run into the billions. The irony may be that the quantifiable environmental damage diminishes as you move from Louisiana to the panhandle of Florida while the economic losses go much higher. If the economic loss to Louisiana eventually attributed to the drilling moratorium is discounted, Alabama may emerge as the state most adversely affected by DHOS (http://crcalabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/CRC-BookDownload.pdf ). The truly greatest challenge to socioeconomic recovery in the region is that of narrowing the gap that exists between the public perception of health risk and the remarkable capacity of the natural ecosystem to accommodate and largely detoxify the worst episodic environmental insult ever visited upon the Gulf in its long history of human exploitation. Another irony that is confounding assessment of the DHOS impact is the early reports of enormous populations of reef fish, sharks and other normally targeted species, including shrimp. The cessation of fishing by federal fiat due to an abundance of caution may have truly created a serious, but positive, complication in

No one has suggested that the spill did more good than harm, but these early observations certainly fly in the face of the original expectations of mass mortalities in the natural population. There were most certainly large losses among the planktonic organisms that include eggs and larvae of fishery species. But those impacts won’t be evident for some time. They may not be observed at all in the longer lived species that may simply outproduce any losses attributable to the summer of 2010.

Dr. Crozier received his Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Dr. Crozier has spent most of his professional career in Coastal Zone Management, or as he describes it “applied marine ecology.” He has been the Executive Director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab at the mouth of Mobile Bay since 1979. Dr. Crozier received NOAA’s Walter B. Jones Coastal Steward Award for 1999/2000 and has been honored by the State of Alabama as a science educator. He currently chairs the Principal Members of the Gulf of Mexico University Research Collaborative, a consortium of State consortia from around the Gulf. The Collaborative has been organized to provide coordination of the academic community in response to the ten year-long Gulf Research Initiative in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Gulf restoration planning. J.D. Crowe, editorial cartoonist at the Mobile Press Register has generously allowed liberal use of his insight into the human impacts of this environmental catastrophe. You can follow his work at http://blog.al.com/jdcrowe/index.html.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Save the Date for the First NAEP Webinar NAEP will be holding a webinar on Thursday, April 7th at 1pm ET. These types of learning opportunities that you can take advantage of from a remote location is something that NAEP members have wanted and we are very pleased to be able to present a very high quality program in this convenient format. More details will follow through email blasts and will be available on the NAEP website in the coming weeks but please reserve the date now. One of the great things about a webinar is you will be charged a small fee per connection and you can have as many people attending the session as the room will hold. This is an extremely economical way to provide educational opportunities to multiple staff members at the same time. This is also a great reason for local chapter to secure some office space, hold a “brown bag lunch” and invite the members to attend, learn and network. All of this can be done in a location that is convenient for you. I know many of you have attended

these types of educational events before but please feel free to call me at 856-283-7816 if there are any questions I can answer now. —Tim Bower Managing Director

Webinar Details Topic: Introduction to the new CEQ Guidance on Mitigation and Monitoring and Lessons Learned from California Speakers: Horst Greczmiel, CEQ - Associate Director for NEPA Oversight and Marie Campbell, Sapphos Environmental Date and Time: Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 1pm ET Duration: Event will last 90 minutes Location: Wherever it is convenient for you

Open for Business – Spread the Word

anyone to go to for insight and direction. We also want to emphasize how to achieve sustainability through implementation of procedures that address the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).

An Invitation from Your Sustainable Systems Working Group

What’s it take to join? Simple. Send an email to the Chair . You’re invited to include your ideas on how to define sustainability. In fact, the Sustainable Systems Working Group has a writing project underway, “Sustainable as Wisdom,” a book of collected ideas on defining sustainable and sustainability. Add it to your resume and C.V.

By Don Sayre, Chair

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he Sustainable Systems Working Group is OPEN FOR MEMBERSHIP. You are invited to add your passion and your talents to the mix so the NAEP becomes the environmental professional’s blend of choice for sustainable practices and sustainable development. We are defining sustainability on a global basis and ways to develop sustainability at the local and personal level. What sustainable means to one individual can be a far cry from what sustainable means to another. The NAEP’s Sustainable Systems Working Group wants to be the best source of information for

Time to get some traction and increase recognition of the NAEP Sustainable Systems Working Group in the US and abroad. It looks like 2011 is the perfect time to approach the President’s Council on Environmental Quality and the new Federal Environmental Executive with our definitions and guidance and our approach to implementing NEPA for sustainable development and development of sustainability as a national and international imperative.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Advertising Opportunities in the NAEP Newsletter

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he NAEP Newsletter is offering a limited amount of advertising space in the publication. Advertisements will be limited to two pages per issue for 2011 and once that space is filled per issue there will be no other advertisements accepted. Advertisers will have the opportunity to purchase space in all remaining issues of 2011 so that they can be assured of space in each issue. This is a great opportunity to both support NAEP and gain access to a potential readership of over 6,500. Ads can be purchased in either quarter or half page sizes and is priced at a very affordable price that starts at $375 per ad for a quarter page ad when 6 ads are purchased. The purchasing of ads in advance allows the advertiser to reduce their costs and allow you to make sure your ad space is reserved. For more information on adverting opportunities or to reserve your space please contact Tim Bower at 856-283-7816 or by email at [email protected].

NAEP Board Election Results

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he NAEP Board of Directors Election has concluded and we are pleased to announce the four newly elected Board Members. These Officers will serve a three year term that starts in April 2011 and will conclude in April 2014. These four individuals received the most member votes from a highly qualified and experienced field of 9 possible candidates. Thank you to all of those that ran for a seat on the Board of Directors and to all of those that voted. Newly Elected Board Members are: • Wendy Haydon from CH2M Hill •

Brock Hoegh from HNTB Corporation

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Paul Looney from Volkert Inc.

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Robert P. Morris, Jr. from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

Please click the link below to view the full candidate statements for the newly elected Board Members: http://data.memberclicks.com/site/naep/NAEPIncomingBoardMembers2011.pdf —NAEP Election Committee

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

MEMBER INTEREST SPOTLIGHT Note from the Newsletter Editor The strength of the NAEP is wholly in our membership. As a new, and I hope continuing, feature of our evolving NAEP newsletter we are reintroducing you to already familiar faces. Many of us know each other from the conferences, but seldom know about each other’s background. This month we proudly reintroduce you to Jim Melton. He is a long time NAEP member who joined in 1989 and has served on the Board of Directors over the last 8 years. He is the Immediate Past President and is finishing his last term on the Board. Jim is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a BS in Agronomy/Soil Science and a Masters in Recreation Resource Development. He is currently an active Environmental Professional living and working in Montana. (Editor) Jim started his professional career working as a statewide planner for the State of Texas. He also served the federal government in various environmental and land management positions for over 25 years. He has over 35 years of experience in land use planning, permitting, environmental planning, and impact assessment for Electric Utilities, Oil and Gas Transmission and development and Coal exploration and development. He has extensive experience leading projects under NEPA regulations with national and state significance. He continues to lead major energy projects working directly with various State, Tribal, Federal and Local Governments. He has facilitated and mediated multi-party processes addressing the full range of environmental and public policy issues at national, state, regional and local levels. Jim’s strength leading multi-disciplinary teams of scientist and engineers has been demonstrated on a variety of major plans such as DOE National Strategic Roadmaps, BLM and USFS Land Use and Resource Management Plans, and companion National Environmental Policy Act Environmental (NEPA) Impact Statements (EISs) and Environmental Assessments (EAs). He has also led teams of scientist and engineers on unique federal Dept. of State (DOS), DOE/WAPA, EPA, NASA Kennedy Space Center projects. He is presently working on a DOS EIS requiring a Presidential Permit for a proposed International Oil Pipeline from Alberta Canada across Montana and five other states into Texas. He has also been active in permitting and compliance for Oil & Gas field development on Crow and Blackfeet Reservations. Jim also wanted us to be aware of the activities in Montana and felt that providing us with a link to the most recent Energy newsletter would introduce a wide audience to the work going on in his back yard.

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Introduction to Montana Means Energy By Jim Melton

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he State of Montana Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Promotion and Development regularly publishes a newsletter that highlights the work being done to promote energy development in Montana. It usually covers relevant policy development and includes regular updates from Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer. The mission of the Energy Promotion and Development Division is to help create high quality energyrelated jobs and enhance domestic energy security by working directly with private industry, local & regional economic development organizations. The Department also works with state, federal, and tribal governments to facilitate, promote and develop clean & green energy projects throughout Montana. Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer reminded an audience recently that: The first Montanans cared for our peaks and our prairies, our rivers and our wildlife. Each succeeding generation protecting the dreams of the three generations before them and nurturing the dreams of the three generations that would follow them. Montana is the home to big dreamers, risk takers, and great doers. Let’s help those dreamers soar to their goals. This news letter regularly reports on Montana’s struggles to continue to help dreamers see their goals become realities and reveals many aspects of energy promotion and development as well as environmental practice in action. Last year marked one of the busiest and most productive years for the Energy Promotion and Development Division. Across the state, Montanans saw major energy investment deliver millions of dollars to our economy that will provide revenues well into the future. We have continued to see development of our world class wind resources and the transmission lines needed to carry that product to market. Major agreements have been made in the traditional energy sector as well. I enjoy living and working as an environmental professional in Montana. Through my normal work pursuits, I have had the opportunity to work directly with the Governor, Lt. Governor and their staff. For this edition of the NAEP newsletter, I have provided the link to “Montana Means Energy.” Continued on page 12

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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2011 Annual Conference Denver, Colorado • April 26-29, 2011 The early registration deadline is rapidly approaching! Registration rates increase March 1st, so don’t wait. Register now to get the best deal. Now is also the time to make your hotel reservations. Please use the link on the NAEP website to reserve your room as it will ensure you receive the group rate. The hotel block will expire and room rates will increase on March 24th. Also in this newsletter you will see there are two great Symposiums taking place on April 26th. You won’t want to miss them, so register now!

Improving the NEPA Process

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ome learn and discuss what's new in the NEPA world from two highly experienced and dynamic practitioners, Lamar Smith with FWHA Resource Center and Judith Lee with Environmental Planning Strategies, Inc. The Symposium will focus on better understanding CEQ Guidance, NEPA practice, and new initiatives to improve projects. Lamar and Judith will lead a discussion on several developments with CEQ. First up will be CEQ’s new guidance on categorical exclusions, including a comparison of those used by FHWA and DOE, agencies on opposite ends of the spectrum. Next will be a discussion the power and responsibilities associated with mitigated FONSIs according to CEQ. Under the NEPA practice category, Lamar and Judith will take the fear out of the analyses of cumulative effects and induced growth. They will also discuss current legal issues including understand the rules that courts use for evaluating the requisite "hard look" and how to evaluate "significant impacts" and the new four-part test for injunctions. FHWA has a new program called Every Day Counts, which is intended to shorten project delivery while enhancing safety of roadways and protecting the environment. Lamar and Judith will also lead a discussion on how to engage people in envisioning new livable communities with EPA's fun and effective Vision To Action process. Lastly, join Lamar and Judith in an interactive discussion on the Meaning of Words and how clarifying our communication can defuse conflict and empower the interdisciplinary approach. Join us for provocative discussions as only Judith and Lamar can evoke!

Montana

Permanent Conference Committee Update

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ith the upcoming 2011 NAEP conference in Denver coming up, the Permanent Conference Committee is looking forward to planning future conferences in Oregon, California, and Florida. NAEP prefers to hold conferences where we have strong member representation and support. Would you like to see the national conference come to your area? Let us hear your ideas! Contact the PCC chair, Carol Snead at [email protected]. Are you interested in joining the PCC? Contact Carol about that too! We hold bi-monthly conference call meetings to discuss conference policies, format, and locations. We’ll also be meeting in Denver during Conference Week. Hope to see you there!

Continued from page 11

This regular statewide newsletter typically covers not only aspects of the oil and gas industry, but also includes the advances in alternative energy being explored in this state. As my dear past wife put it “we live in the middle of no-where, but in the back yard of everything dear to us.” I feel this newsletter offers the opportunity to share in the challenges of planning for and growing responsible energy development in Montana. I hope you enjoy it. http://data.memberclicks.com/site/naep/MONTANAMEANSENERGYDec2010.pdf

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Board of Directors Meeting Summary – January 22, 2011 By: Paul Looney, NAEP Vice President

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he NAEP Board of Directors brought in the New Year at the US Army Corps of Engineers Offices in Fort Worth two weeks before the Super Bowl. Actually, the meeting had a celebratory air. For the 2010 budget we actually came out in the black after assuming that the year would end in a loss.

What changed things around? In short, Memberships and the Conference, but there were many other things that contributed. According to Ron Deverman (President): “Among the accomplishments are an increase in members, Paul Looney’s editorship of e-News, a new contract with Cambridge University Press, development of a much more functional website, publications have grown in stature and content (as demonstrated by the themed issues of Environmental Practice and our recent newsletters). We had a great conference in Atlanta, and committees are being reinvigorated. We thank Bower Management Services for helping us to get to this point. We have been able to bring additional member benefits, bringing in affiliate chapters and affiliate members. We thank Ron Lamb for helping to bring new member benefits as a result of his efforts. We have also entered into collaborative initiatives with CEQ—a mark that we have moved back to a national policy advisor role. We are again the national go-to association of environmental professionals as our own mission statement purports. “ Our main revenue generators provided the positive income which allowed us to leave our reserves alone for a while. When we started down this long road we had just been made aware that our membership records were false. From a count of 1,400 members, we realized that active memberships were closer to 638. A year and a half later, under the management of Bower Management Services we KNOW our member numbers have increased 41% to 900. While we are not out of the woods yet, we are now looking at ways to help our reserves provide a better financial cushion and looking at the means to increase revenues to allow us to set and start to meet our 2011 Association goals. Several Committee and Working Group reports followed. These important parts of the Association continue to bring amazing value for us all. There are several specific reports from the Committees and Working Groups that are sprinkled throughout this newsletter, so I won’t detail them. Permanent Conference Committee: The 2011 Conference is still in need of sponsors and exhibitors. It is not too late to recruit companies to help us with our premier event. The

Conference planners also are asking for members to bring something to put into the Silent Auction at the Conference. The 2012 location is Portland and the theme is Science, Politics, and Policy: Environmental Nexus. Other planning has started already. The 2013 Conference location has been suggested as Los Angeles in a new venue called LA Live. By Law Action Group: The Association By Laws have not been updated since 2004. A small group of NAEP leaders took on the task of revising the By Laws. Kristen Maines (NWAEP), Jim Melton (Past President), Gary Kelman (ABCEP President & MAREP) and Kristin Bennett, Erik Neugaard, and Paul Looney (FAEP) worked through the existing By Laws and addressed some pressing issues. The draft By Laws were presented to the Board and will be finalized for a vote at the April Board Meeting. The draft will be reviewed by legal counsel prior to being presented to the Board. Even the Affiliation Agreement has become a unifying force for the association. The acceptance of the new arrangement was not easy for many chapters. The Executive Committee spent many hours listening to Chapter leadership and their legitimate concerns. What speaks well for the process is that where the EC was directly involved, we found that the major objection was that NAEP had been out of touch with the Chapter issues for too long. New and active management has greatly helped that through regular email blasts of either National or State level importance. Tim Bower, NAEP Managing Director, has helped many of the chapters reach their local membership (or potential membership) with announcements of activities or other items of interest. As of the end of the meeting, a total of twelve Chapters are affiliated with NAEP. There are three that are still debating the issue, and two that have explicitly refused to sign. But even one of those will bring the issue to a vote again soon. One Chapter is in limbo but very eager to sign on. That will likely be addressed at the April Board meeting. For the present, the Board of Directors, the EC and the Managing Director will work with those Chapters not signing in an effort to retain all existing Chapters. There are several budding chapters on the horizon which should be working toward full recognition in the coming year. The final activity of the afternoon was developing a list of priorities to be addressed in the coming year. From a list of 13 ideas, the board selected the top ones and assigned people to work on making them happen. Continued on page 15

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Board of Directors

Continued from page 14

Here is what we are going to tackle this year. If you have a desire to help with any of these tasks, contact me ([email protected]) or Tim Bower ([email protected]) and we will put you in touch with the others working on the item. •

Update the website – Assigned to Bob Morris with Judith Charles, Carolynn Henn, Crystal Lawson, Brock Hoegh, and Bill Plumpton

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Educational Workshops – Marie Campbell will work with the Chapters and determine where these will occur.

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Distance Learning – Marie Campbell, Ron Deverman, Paul Looney, and Ron Lamb

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Affiliate Chapter Support – John Irving, Bill Plumpton, and the rest of the Chapter Committee

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Strategic Marketing – Ron Deverman and Harold Draper

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Annual Meeting Improvements – Gary Kelman

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Student Chapter Development – Brock Hoegh, Ron Deverman, and Paul Looney

As far as Student Chapters, Brock Hoegh volunteered to lead the charge in developing an NAEP wide way of initiating them and keeping them involved with the Association. Expect to see some real changes here that will bring student memberships up and student involvement in the Association increased. The final action of the Board Meeting was to address a proposal for an educational partnership with American Public University. APU is an on-line University format that is accredited and would allow our members to work on advanced degrees or specific coursework. They have certification programs aimed at environmental professionals that can help you in the development and advancement of your career. We are hoping to roll out a workable partnership with them by the April conference. If you have any questions or suggestions on this effort, contact Paul Looney ([email protected]). They are an exhibitor for the 2011 conference, please stop by and see what they can offer. This might be the start of several similar partnering agreements we will be developing over the years to provide the added value for membership to our professionals. Your board is working hard to make this the best professional Association around. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

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Awards Committee Update

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he NAEP Environmental Excellence Awards Committee had another great set of award nominations to pick from with strong nominations in all of the eight Award Categories. After thorough review and consideration of many great nominations the National Environmental Excellence Awards have been selected. The winners in each of the eight technical categories and the President’s Award were as follows: The President’s Award was awarded to The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for their project titled, “Comprehensive Ecosystem Based-Based Amendment 1 for the South Atlantic Region.” The Award for the Best Available Environmental Technology was awarded to Cardno Entrix for their project,”City of Marco Island Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well Field.” The Award for the Conservation Programs was awarded to Imperial Irrigation District for their project titled, “All American Canal Lining Project.” The Award for the Education Excellence was awarded to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department for their project titled, “Maricopa County Dust Abatement Handbook and Field Guide.” The Award for Environmental Management was awarded to CEMEX Construction Materials – Lyons Plant for the “Lyons Cement Plant Above and Beyond Program.” The Award for Environmental Stewardship was awarded to General Waste Products, Inc., “Main Yard Site Remediation Project.” The Award for NEPA Excellence was awarded to the Office of the Environment, Golden Field Office, Department of Energy for, “Innovative NEPA Approach for Renewable Energy Financial Assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” The Award for Planning Integration was awarded to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for, “Environmental Streamlining for the I-295/I-76/NJ Rt. 42 Interchange, Camden County, NJ.” The Award for Public Involvement was awarded to AerojetGeneral Corporation for, “Aerojet Six Megawatt Solar Array.” Each of the NAEP national environmental excellence award winners will be recognized during the programs at the upcoming 2011 NAEP National Conference held in Denver, Colorado on April 26-29. The award winners will be given an opportunity to share their experiences with conference participants through poster presentations. Thank you to all our nominees and congratulations to all the winners.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

California Association of Environmental Professionals Chapter Report By Roger Turner NAEP Liaison

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he California Chapter signed the NAEP Affiliation Agreement on January 8, 2011 in a special signing ceremony with Gene Talmadge, President of AEP and Ron Deverman, President of NAEP. AEP is excited to renew our friendships and continue our journey together with NAEP developing strong programs for environmental professionals. AEP had a great state-wide turnout for the CEQA advanced Workshops. There is always much to learn with legislative changes to CEQA over the past year and court cases that challenge the very nature of the law. These workshops help to keep our professionals on the edge of what the profession is doing and the challenges to it. The environmental field continues to be quite fascinating and challenging.

Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Chapter Report

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he Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (www.FAEP-FL.org) provides numerous monthly networking and educational sessions throughout the state via the Central (www.CFAEP.org), Northeast (www.NEFAEP.org), Northwest (www.faepnwfl.org), South (www.SFAEP.org), Southwest (www.SWFAEP.org), Tallahassee (www.sites.google.com/site/faeptallahassee), Tampa Bay (www.TBAEP.org), and Treasure Coast (www.sites.google.com/site/tccfaep) Local Chapters. To see a list of upcoming events, please visit the local chapter website for your area, or visit the “Happenings” section on the FAEP website (www.FAEP-FL.org) for a full list of events throughout the state.

On March 18th, FAEP will be co-sponsoring the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Florida Section Meeting in Tallahassee (www.awraflorida.org). Please join us if you can.

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The BIG news is AEP’s annual conference coming up in Monterey, California March 6 to 9, 2011. The venues are great from formulating Climate Action Plans (CAPs), Establishing Sustainable Infrastructure for Municipal Waste, Natural Resource permitting in Coastal California, Renewable Energy development and impacts – Two Sides of Going Green, NEPA Updates and much more. Go to www.califaep.org to see the whole program. We hope you can make it. This is also a great networking opportunity with your colleagues. Also, look for the NAEP and ABCEP banners and materials which will be available for attendees. AEP continues to work on membership issues with NAEP and ABCEP. Membership materials are made available to new potential members for greater exposure to AEP and NAEP. What do these two professional organizations represent? We intend to answer this question. AEP’s web site is ready for the drum roll. It will be rolled out by the end of February. The new website has a new look and tons of information available for its members. The site also offers some cool items of interest for nonmembers as well. Check it out soon at www.califaep.org. If anyone wishes to contact an AEP Board member we are listed under Leadership on the AEP website. FAEP Board of Directors President: Erik Neugaard, CEP, Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. Vice President: Kristin Bennett, Tetra Tech EC, Inc. Treasurer: Victoria Colangelo, Mitigation Marketing, LLC Secretary: Joel Thomson, Thomson Environmental Consulting, LLC Past President: Bruce Hasbrouck, CEP, Faller, Davis & Associates, Inc. NAEP Representative: Paul Looney, Volkert Environmental Group, Inc. At Large Member: Kathy Hale, Environmental Management & Design, Inc. At Large Member: Erin Kane, ENERCON Services, Inc. At Large Member: Alexis Preisser, Bowyer-Singleton & Associates, Inc. Central Florida Chapter: John Lesman, Bio-Tech Consulting, Inc. Northeast Chapter: Ed Currie, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwest Chapter: Mary Gutierrez, West Florida Regional Planning Council South Chapter: Jeff Marcus, C3TS Southwest Chapter: Matthew Miller, Southwest Florida Water Management District Tallahassee Chapter: Elva Peppers, Florida Environmental & Land Services, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter: Greg Page, ARCADIS U.S., Inc Treasure Coast Chapter: Courtney Arena, Stanley Consultants, Inc.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Illinois Association of Environmental Professionals Chapter Report

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n Friday, February 25, 2011, the IAEP will host its annual meeting from 3-5pm at Café Zalute in Rosemont, Illinois. We have invited Steven Faryan from the U.S. EPA to present “Ethanol and Biodiesel Spills – Response Review”. “The increased use and transportation of ethanol and biodiesel fuels requires a new way of preparing for and responding to releases of biofuels. A result of this increase is the risk of spills that have to do with the significant increase in production facilities in rural areas and the transportation of these products via road and rail. The response to ethanol and biodiesel spills can be much different than refined product and will be defined by the size, location and the mixture of the released product. Also, their bi-products require different response planning and procedures and require specialized fire fighting techniques, monitoring and mitigation measures. The U.S. EPA will present their Ethanol Manufacturing Facility Response Overview and the Biodiesel Manufacturing Facility Response Overview which covers the

Mid-Atlantic Region Environmental Professionals Chapter Report

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manufacturing and appropriate mitigation measures for releases of major components, byproducts and products of ethanol and biodiesel. Several case studies involving train derailments and other facility releases will be presented.” Please see our flyer on the IAEP website: www.iaepnetwork.org. Reservation Required. Cost for Members is $20 (includes appetizers) and $55 for non-members (includes appetizers and 1 year membership). On Saturday, April 9 from 9am-12pm IAEP and DePaul University will once again host a free Student Career Seminar. IAEP will provide enthusiastic speakers to give insights to students about their upcoming careers, enhancing their resumes, finding volunteer/paid positions, and the art of networking. DePaul will host students of all ages from Illinois to this valuable seminar. On Thursday, May 19 from 12-1pm, Jennifer Clarke from the Illinois EPA will present a talk on Total Maximum Daily Loads and new load reduction strategies in river systems. IAEP will be hosting this lunchtime seminar at Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. in Rosemont, Illinois. No cost to members who bring their own lunch or $5 for pizza and $40 for nonmembers (includes pizza and 1 year membership). IAEP is currently focusing on booking the events for the remainder of the year and hosting our annual golf outing in September. Additionally, the IAEP board is reviewing new logo designs to freshen up our look.

Jack Mulrooney attended the 2011 Maryland Environment Legislative Summit in Annapolis, MD, an annual event where the Maryland Secretary of the Environment and the head of the Maryland Energy Administration were among the presenters. Providing timely updates on the status of environmental legislation in the Mid-Atlantic Region will become an important part of MAREP's services to its members.

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Our next event is to be held Thursday, February 25 at the same venue in Gaithersburg, MD. The agenda includes a presentation on Environmental Litigation by a lawyer from one of the top environmental law firms in the country as well as a short briefing on the Legislative Summit.

Our first networking event of 2011 was to be held on January 27th in Gaithersburg, MD, but unfortunately Mother Nature decided against it by dropping eight inches of snow in the area that day. Two days prior to the planned meeting, President

The MAREP Board also announced and has started planning for a Stormwater and TMDL Conference to be held in June 2011. We are planning a full day of presentations and panel discussions on this extremely timely topic here in the Chesapeake Region. The venue is the Conference Center at the Universities at Shady Grove in Gaithersburg, MD. We are also exploring the possibility of providing professional development hours for interested attendees.

AREP held its Annual Membership meeting on January 13 at the offices of Apex Inc. in Rockville, MD. There was a good turnout for the event where the Board provided brief reports to the attendees on our first year of activities, current status of budget and membership, and the tentative plans for the upcoming year. We received a lot of excellent input and suggestions from the body, and set some lofty goals for the upcoming year.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Northwest Association of Environmental Professionals Chapter Report

Hold the date of March 31st for our annual meeting. It will be held at the Rogue Distillery and Public House in northwest Portland. An announcement will be sent out when we have all the details. Three new board members will be announced at the meeting. In other news, we are continuing to plan for the 2012 NAEP conference to be held in Portland, OR. If you are interested in getting involved with the local conference committee, please email Carol Snead at [email protected]. Molly Brown NWAEP Chapter Representative

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WAEP had a busy February. We held our very first event in Vancouver, WA, spearheaded by Dennis Dooley. We hope to hold events in Vancouver quarterly. There was also a lunch event in Portland on Valentine’s Day and… drum roll please… a happy hour event was held in Seattle on February 23rd! It has been a long dry spell without activity in the Seattle area. We are thankful for all the members who are stepping up to organize programs in all three of these locations.

Rocky Mountain Association of Environmental Professionals Chapter Report

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he Rocky Mountain Association of Environmental Professionals (RMAEP) is a non-profit professional society of members in six western states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. •

In January, RMAEP held its annual members meeting and membership drive at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. George Sparks, President and CEO of the museum, gave a fascinating presentation about the Snowmastodon Project, the recent Ice Age ecosystem discovery at the Ziegler Reservoir in Snowmass, Colorado. The Snowmastodon Project is considered one of the most significant scientific discoveries in Colorado history.

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HDR, Inc. 1001 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 1800 • Portland OR 97204 503.727.3925 [email protected] RMAEP’s upcoming events: • Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Chris Colclasure, an attorney at Holland & Hart LLP, will discuss the EPA's recent and upcoming greenhouse regulations and the lawsuits filed against them. Location: Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc., 2650 East 40th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80205. Visit www.rmaep.org to register for this event. •

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: How can social networking help you? Location: HDR Engineering, 303 E 17th Ave, Suite 700.

NAEP 2011 Annual Conference Coming to Denver: Seventh Generation Thinking: Learning from the Past — Planning for the Future Sheraton Denver Downtown, April 26-29, 2011 Register for the conference before March 1, 2011 to receive a discounted rate! We’re currently looking for sponsors and exhibitors for this exciting conference. Don't miss this opportunity to reach out to environmental professionals, regulators, government officials, and students from around the country. All exhibitors and sponsors will receive recognition in the final program, poster recognition in the registration area, and recognition before all sessions and lunches. Various levels of sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available to meet your company’s needs. Please see the NAEP website for additional details.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

Texas Association of Environmental Professionals – Austin Subchapter Report The Texas Association of Environmental Professionals Austin Subchapter was formed to provide a forum for environmental professionals to discuss important environmental issues, through informative guest speakers, monthly luncheon meetings and other networking events. TAEP Austin meets the second Wednesday of every month for a luncheon meeting with a guest speaker. See below for the upcoming lineup of guest speakers and topics: • February 9, 2011 – Dianna Noble, Director TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division (FHWA Everyday Counts Initiative and Related TxDOT Efforts) •

March 9, 2011 – Andrea Rado, Hill Country Conservancy (TBA)

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March 22, 2011 – Networking Social at the Cedar Door

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April 13, 2011 – Soll Sussman, General Land Office (State Renewable Energy Developments)

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May 11, 2011 – Dr. Steve Jones, VP, Director Stream Division, Environmental Services, Inc. (Stream Mitigation Banking)

TAEP Austin currently functions as a subchapter of TAEP (Houston). We are in the process of incorporating as a standalone chapter of NAEP, as the Central Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (CTAEP). Stay tuned for more updates on this topic. New Board of Directors for 2011: President – Kayleigh Rust Vice President/NAEP Liaison – Randy Hankamer, AICP Secretary – Angela Bulger Treasurer – Eric Holsten Membership – Sally Victor Communications – Casey Carlton At Large – Scott Davis Please visit our new website (www.ctaep.org) and blog (http://ctaep.wordpress.com) to learn more!! To contact TAEP Austin (soon to be CTAEP), send an email to: [email protected]

ABCEP Presents Body of Knowledge for Environmental Professionals at NAEP Conference in Denver, CO

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he Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) will be presenting ABCEP’s “Body of Knowledge for Environmental Professionals” at the National Association of Environmental Professionals’ annual meeting at 8:00 to 9:30 am on April 29, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. At that meeting, additional input from the audience will be invited with the aim of adding to the content of this compendium. The objective of this effort is to advance the cause of maintaining a body of knowledge that will help both new environmental professionals develop their skills and experienced professionals access information that is needed to carry out activities in this field. Please read the attached article on ABCEP and ABCEP’s Body of Knowledge. This will help all those intending to seek the Certified Environmental Professional certification to have some insight into the process and the information necessary to successfully gain that certification. For further information on ABCEP’s Body of Knowledge, please contact ABCEP at [email protected]. http://data.memberclicks.com/site/naep/ABCEPsBodyofKnowledgeEblastArticleFeb2011.pdf

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Please Donate to the James Roberts Scholarship Fund You may not have known him. Yet you were certainly influenced by him. Honor his legacy. Donate to the James Roberts Scholarship Fund TODAY.

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im Roberts travelled far and wide to espouse the worth of living an ethical life, including the way you performed your job. He lived the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Environmental Professionals.

NAEP has developed the James Roberts Scholarship Fund to assist promising individuals while they are still in school. This is your opportunity to preserve and extend the legacy of Jim Roberts. All donations are tax-deductible. Go to NAEP.org and click Scholarship Foundations to make your contribution. You can also donate when you renew your NAEP membership. Thank you, Gary F. Kelman, Chair James Roberts Scholarship Committee Mel Willis John Perkins Bruce Hasbrouck Teri Hasbrouck

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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NAEP Chapter Affiliation Update

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ver the past two years the NAEP Chapter Committee and NAEP Board have been working with Chapter Leaders to revise and improve how NAEP interacts with and supports the chapters. While this is still a work in progress, great strides have been made in the areas of communication and membership growth. This ongoing partnership has been further secured with either the commitment or signing of the Chapter Affiliation Agreement. As of today there are three that are still debating the issue, and two that have explicitly declined to sign. But even one of those will bring the issue to a vote again soon. The chapters that have already chosen to affiliate with NAEP are listed below: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Alaska AEP Arizona AEP AEP (California Chapter) Florida AEP Georgia AEP Hawaii AEP Illinois AEP Mid-America AEP Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAREP) North Carolina AEP Northwest AEP Rocky Mountain AEP

Ron Deverman and Harold Draper (Mid-America Chapter Representative) sign the Mid-America agreement.

Ron Deverman and Paul Looney, NAEP Vice President, sign affiliation agreements during the January 2011 Board Meeting.

The NAEP Board would like to thank all of the chapters that discussed the issue of affiliation with their membership and thanks all of those that reviewed the agreement and provided their excellent input. At the recent Board Meeting in Fort Worth Ron Deverman, NAEP President, had an opportunity to sign many of the affiliation agreements. Ron Deverman and Gene Talmadge (AEP President) sign the NAEP/AEP Chapter Affiliation Agreement.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

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Become a Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) OBTAIN THE RECOGNITION YOUR CAREER DESERVES: •

Do you have an environmental certification? Good

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Does this environmental certification measure your experience and depth of knowledge, not just facts? Yes

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Does this environmental certification include an objective peer review of your abilities? Yes

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Is your environmental certification accredited by a third-party certifying body? Yes

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Then your environmental certification must be a CEP from The Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP).

Certification is available in five areas: • • • • •

Assessment Documentation Operations Planning Research/Education

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eginning in 1979, eexperienced environmental professionals were able to become certified through a comprehensive peer review addressing years of experience, responsibility, and knowledge. Certifications are nationally-recognized and available for a wide range of eligible professionals including:

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Federal/state/local agency staff - Consultants - Researchers - Compliance managers

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Enforcement officials - Activists

Initially offered as a certification through the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) established organizational independence in 1993. In 1999 ABCEP became a nonprofit organization. In 2005, the ABCEP achieved accreditation by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB – www.cesb.org) The ABCEP CEP brings heightened confidence in the professional quality of documents, evaluations, and decisions. Certified individuals satisfy the professional requirements outlined by the USEPA, ASTM, and other regulatory agencies, providing assurance to employers and customers. For the individual, certification increases opportunities for promotions, marketability, and career advancement. Certified individuals maintain their knowledge, experience, and credentials through continuing education, teaching, mentoring, publishing papers, and complying with the Code of Ethics. Become a CEP-IT: The ABCEP offers mentoring and a CEP-In Training (CEP-IT) designation to junior and mid-level professionals developing towards CEP eligibility. The CEP-IT increases individual and firm marketability, enhanced career opportunities, and enhanced networking opportunities. More Information: Contact ABCEP at [email protected]; www.abcep.org; or 1.866.767.8073 Do you have an upcoming meeting and need a speaker? Speaker opportunities by CEPs about ABCEP are available in certain geographic locations.

NAEP National E-News January–February 2011

President’s Letter

Continued from page 1

and the operation and maintenance systems necessary to protect drinking water supplies and the environment. NAEP plans to have information exchange and dialogue with some of our members whose careers have been focused in these areas. We will have more on this interesting international exchange opportunity that is being headed by our International Committee Chair Roger Turner in future E-News. Today take a moment of your day to be stimulated professionally by the articles and information contained in this issue of our E-Newsletter. Enjoy reading about the interesting activities our chapters and our national committees and working groups are doing. Vice-President Paul Looney has a comprehensive report on our very productive January 2011 Board of Directors meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. And don’t forget our upcoming 2011 annual conference in Denver April 26-29th; go to our website www.naep.org to register. In our regulatory compliance work, we do what is dutiful; and in our assessment work we capture what is significant about

Quest for papers

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s you have noticed over the last few issues of this publication, NAEP is improving the content of this newsletter. This is YOUR newsletter. As the Editor I am depending on the membership to help make this a premier publication of the premier Environmental Professional Association. Here is what I am looking for: approximately 2,500 to 3,500 words, MS word format. The content is up to you. Controversial issues are welcome. I am hoping to eventually receive letters to the editor where these articles can be discussed. Please keep the discussion respectful and we can all learn.

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the ordinary. Those of us who work in special waste remediation make the air, water, and soil whole again; and in the strategic world of mitigation, we create new ecological and cultural pathways that enhance our natural and community resources so they may remain sustainable. We all know that effectively integrating our professional and personal lives can be challenging; but there’s excitement in that too. When our project work preoccupies us, or we let it overcome us, it can bring our resilience down one body cell at a time. But I believe perseverance and vibrancy are built into the fabric of our humanness. Our commitment and focused passion for the work we do and for our lives as a whole bring us back. It brings us back to the reasons why we choose the environmental professions as a career. Whenever a string of long days tends to exhaust, or I am struggling with a particularly challenging project, I remind myself of how grateful I am to be working in such a vitally important job. Such remarkable livelihoods we share!

Ron Deverman, NAEP President

To date we have had articles on Hometown Democracy, Confined Animal Feeding Operations, Water Quality Standards, Fracking, Green Buildings and the Gulf Oil Spill. I am receiving some great input from the network and you will be seeing those articles as the year progresses. Keep the articles and ideas coming; there is ALWAYS room for your voice. If you are not sure whether your idea or article can be included, please contact me and we can flesh it out together. This newsletter is getting better and I want all of us to feel we are a part of this positive change. Paul B. Looney, CEP, CSE, PWS NAEP Newsletter Editor [email protected]

Environmental Practice Submission Information In the months to come, Environmental Practice will be publishing theme issues on the subject of Transportation, Energy, and Environmental Justice. The editorial office is still accepting manuscripts on Energy and Environmental Justice, and submissions can be sent to managing editor Dan Carroll at [email protected]. For more information on submitting to Environmental Practice, please visit the journal’s website, at the following URL: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=ENP